The invasion history of Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii (Hydrocharitaceae) in Italy from herbarium accessions, field records and historical literature

We analysed the invasion history of two North American macrophytes (Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii) in Italy, through an accurate census of all available herbarium and field records, dating between 1850 and 2019, and a rich literature collection describing the initial introduction and naturalisation phase that supports the results obtained by the occurrence records. Elodea canadensis arrived in Italy before 1866 and had two invasion phases, between the 1890s and 1920s and between the 1990s and 2000s; E. nuttallii, probably arrived in the 1970s, started invading in 2000 and the invasion is still ongoing. Botanical gardens and fish farming played a crucial role in dispersal and naturalisation of both species. The current invasion range of both species is centred in northern Italy, with scattered occurrences of E. canadensis in central and southern regions. River Po represents a dispersal barrier to the Mediterranean region and a strategic monitoring site to prevent the invasion in the peninsula. The study detects differences in the niches of the two species during the introduction and naturalisation phase and a habitat switch occurred after 1980 in E. canadensis and after 2000 in E. nuttallii, during their expansion phases. For E. canadensis the switch corresponds to the second invasion round. Further research can clarify whether the second invasion round is due to confusion of the recently introduced E. nuttallii with E. canadensis, to a cryptic introduction of a new genotype, to post-introduction evolution, or just to an increased scientific interest in biological invasions

Osteoclast Activated FoxP3+ CD8+ T-Cells Suppress Bone Resorption in vitro

BACKGROUND: Osteoclasts are the body's sole bone resorbing cells. Cytokines produced by pro-inflammatory effector T-cells (T(EFF)) increase bone resorption by osteoclasts. Prolonged exposure to the T(EFF) produced cytokines leads to bone erosion diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The crosstalk between T-cells and osteoclasts has been termed osteoimmunology. We have previously shown that under non-inflammatory conditions, murine osteoclasts can recruit naïve CD8 T-cells and activate these T-cells to induce CD25 and FoxP3 (Tc(REG)). The activation of CD8 T-cells by osteoclasts also induced the cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ. Individually, these cytokines can activate or suppress osteoclast resorption. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To determine the net effect of Tc(REG) on osteoclast activity we used a number of in vitro assays. We found that Tc(REG) can potently and directly suppress bone resorption by osteoclasts. Tc(REG) could suppress osteoclast differentiation and resorption by mature osteoclasts, but did not affect their survival. Additionally, we showed that Tc(REG) suppress cytoskeletal reorganization in mature osteoclasts. Whereas induction of Tc(REG) by osteoclasts is antigen-dependent, suppression of osteoclasts by Tc(REG) does not require antigen or re-stimulation. We demonstrated that antibody blockade of IL-6, IL-10 or IFN-γ relieved suppression. The suppression did not require direct contact between the Tc(REG) and osteoclasts. SIGNIFICANCE: We have determined that osteoclast-induced Tc(REG) can suppress osteoclast activity, forming a negative feedback system. As the CD8 T-cells are activated in the absence of inflammatory signals, these observations suggest that this regulatory loop may play a role in regulating skeletal homeostasis. Our results provide the first documentation of suppression of osteoclast activity by CD8 regulatory T-cells and thus, extend the purview of osteoimmunology

Natural stones used in a Royal House of Piedmont (Italy)

Villa della Regina", built at the beginning of the 17th century, on the hill of Turin (Italy), is the last example of a "Vigna" residence with Italian gardens, palace, woods and vineyard. Gardens, park, and palace were enlarged and modified many times in the following centuries and suffered reparations, damages and substitution. From 1994 the "Villa" is in charge of the "Soprintendenza per il Patrimonio Storico e Artistico di Torino" who is carrying on the restoration. The works gave a chance to analyze the stone materials, to assess the present state of the manufacts, to locate the extraction sites, and to reconstruct the historical stages of the building and repair works. The authors provide a description of the stones employed in the different parts through a petrographic characterization, of the observed decay, of the identified quarry sites, and an evaluation of the results of the conservative intervention. Stones employed in the "Villa della Regina" represent a catalog of the ancient fine marbles and decorative limestones of Piedmont, most of them no longer exploited. In the conclusions a sinthetic account is given of the inter-relation between architectural development and local marble industry in the 17th-18th centur

Natural stones used in a Royal House of Piedmont (Italy).

Villa della Regina”, built at the beginning of the 17th century, on the hill of Turin (Italy), is the last example of a “Vigna” residence with Italian gardens, palace, woods and vineyard. Gardens, park, and palace were enlarged and modified many times in the following centuries and suffered reparations, damages and substitution. From 1994 the “Villa” is in charge of the “Soprintendenza per il Patrimonio Storico e Artistico di Torino” who is carrying on the restoration. The works gave a chance to analyze the stone materials, to assess the present state of the manufacts, to locate the extraction sites, and to reconstruct the historical stages of the building and repair works. The authors provide a description of the stones employed in the different parts through a petrographic characterization, of the observed decay, of the identified quarry sites, and an evaluation of the results of the conservative intervention. Stones employed in the “Villa della Regina” represent a catalog of the ancient fine marbles and decorative limestones of Piedmont, most of them no longer exploited. In the conclusions a sinthetic account is given of the inter-relation between architectural development and local marble industry in the 17th-18th centur